Italian national coach Davide Cassani has announced his five-rider team who will compete in the Rio Olympic Games Road Race on August 6. Giro d'Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) will lead the selection. Two teammates, Fabio Aru and Diego Rosa, will join the former national champion. Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing Team) and Alessandro De Marchi (BMC Racing Team) complete the team.

"It's never easy to make a choice of this kind because five places are very few; mainly because there are so many men who have been excluded and that were deserving," Cassani explained according to Cyclingnews. "It's a strong team, who will try to obtain the best results, although it will not be easy, given the challenging characteristics of the percorso, with a 9km climb that will surely be selective. I chose athletes that can sacrifice themselves and contribute from the outset to the cause. I'm confident."